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Sustainable airports are central to a decarbonized aviation industry
The aviation industry has committed to reaching net zero by 2050. To meet this goal, the whole sector must accelerate decarbonization efforts, including supporting changes for more sustainable airports. The industry is currently responsible for around 2.5% of global CO2 emissions and is one of the fastest growing emission sources due to a steep increase in flying demand. This could lead to a GHG emissions increase of up to 300% (over 2005 levels) if the aviation industry doesn’t take significant steps to improve environmental sustainability.
Airports are central to the aviation ecosystem, so they must be included in any aviation decarbonization plans. Airports need to reduce their own scope 1 and 2 emissions and also work with external stakeholders to reduce scope 3 emissions, which are responsible for over 90% of an airport’s emissions.
While environmental concerns are typically the main decarbonization driver, sustainability initiatives do more than just lower the industry’s carbon footprint. They also position airports to comply with industry and government regulations, meet public and community pressure for greener airports, and improve operational efficiency.
A certification program for carbon management in airports
There is an alphabet soup of different mechanisms for sustainability reporting and between the frameworks & standards available, it can be daunting for airport operators. Airports across the world have leaned towards the ACA program to simplify their journey towards adoption of sustainability practices. Airports have started to maximize decarbonization efforts by following a systematic and structured sustainability pathway, such as the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program. The ACA program provides airports with a common framework and tools to help them manage and reduce their carbon footprint while aligning with global climate goals & balancing their climate appetite. The program relies on internationally recognized methodologies for airport carbon footprint reduction and can be adapted based on an airport’s size, location, and applicable legal requirements.
Airports can pursue accreditation at any level, subject to meeting the specific criteria for that level. While the program offers a structured framework with increasing levels of commitment, airports have the flexibility to choose their entry point and advance to higher levels at their own pace, even skipping levels if they qualify.
Level 1: Mapping
Footprint measurement
Level 2: Reduction
Carbon management toward a reduced carbon footprint
Level 3: Optimization
Third-party engagement in carbon footprint reduction
Level 3+: Neutrality
Carbon neutrality for direct emissions by offsetting
Level 4: Transformation
Airport operation transformation and working with business partners to achieve absolute emissions reductions
Level 4+: Transition
Compensation for residual emissions with reliable offsets
Level 5: Net zero
Net-zero balance is maintained on scopes 1 and 2 and airports actively address scope 3 emissions. This strengthens 3rd party engagement and requires airports to offset their residual carbon emissions.
Airports can speed progress on their sustainability goals with support from industry experts
Airports can more easily decrease their carbon footprint and achieve ACA goals by using end-to-end sustainability solutions and working with aviation decarbonization experts. For example, reaching ACA’s level 1 requires airports to track their energy usage. While not mandatory, digital solutions that collect and analyze data can greatly streamline this process. Then connected airports can use the information for visibility into energy use and identify where airports can manage and eliminate wasted energy. The technology can also be used to create a carbon footprint analysis that serves as the baseline of improvement measurements.
To achieve level 2, airports must develop a roadmap that reduces their scope 1 and 2 emissions. Insight from decarbonization experts helps airports create an individualized plan that identifies the most effective ways to decarbonize. For example, the plan may determine that an airport would benefit from increasing HVAC efficiencies or from sourcing renewables options.
Level 3 requires airports to extend their carbon footprint to include some scope 3 emissions that are central to airports’ operations and which airports can help guide or influence. To achieve this, airports must improve communication with stakeholders. Developing a supplier engagement program gives airports the opportunity to educate and coach suppliers on ways to reduce their carbon footprints such as through climate management systems. Level 3+ takes the requirements in level 3 but also requires airports to offset residual scope 1 and 2 emissions.
Levels 4 and 4+ require a policy commitment to absolute emissions reduction. This requires airports to take steps such as formulating an absolute carbon emissions reduction target that is supported by a carbon management plan. Airports will need to adopt advanced technology, such as tools for optimizing operational efficiencies through digitalization and automation, to meet these targets.
Level 5 is the pinnacle of airport sustainability. It requires airports to achieve at least 90% absolute CO2 emissions reductions in scope 1 and 2 and a roadmap to net zero in scope 3 by 2050. To reach it, airports will need to take big steps, such as offsetting their residual carbon emissions by investing in carbon reduction methods.
Take a deeper look into how airports can decarbonize
Download the e-book “Reducing carbon & increasing airport sustainability with the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program” to learn more.
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